Econ (GDP) Flashcards
What is non-market production?
value individuals create for themselves
What does more market production lead to higher GDP?
More market production leads to higher GDP not because more value is being created, but because we are better able to count it
What is underground economy?
Black market, or income not reported to the government
What is not counted towards GDP?
Free goods/information are not counted towards GDP but adds value
How does leisure and comfort of workers in 1947 compare to that of workers in 2006?
In 1947, average workers worked 40 hrs a week. In 2006, average workers worked 33 hrs a week.
Is increasing GDP a good thing? Why or why not? Explain.
Because GDP only roughly correlates with standard of living, increasing GDP is not necessarily a good thing, vice versa
What does the Bureau of Labor do monthly?
They conduct a survey to determine employment data.
What are the three groups that the Bureau of Labor classify people into?
1) Employed
2) Unemployed
3) Out of labor force
What is the Bureau of Labor’s definition of employed?
People who have worked at least an hour for pay in the last week
What is the Bureau of Labor’s definition of unemployed?
People not presently working, but actively searching for work
What is the Bureau of Labor’s definition of “not in labor force” (aka ‘out of labor force’)?
People who are neither employed nor unemployed are not in the labor force. This category includes retired persons, students, those taking care of children or other family members, and others who are neither working nor seeking work.
What is the formula for calculating unemployement rate?
(unemployed/labor force) x 100
In other words, (unemployed/(employed + unemployed)) x 100.
What is the formula for calculating labor force?
employed + unemployed
What is the formula for calculating labor force participation rate?
(labor force/adult civilian population) x 100
In other words (employed + unemployed)/(out of labor force + unemployed + employed) x 100
What are three types of unemployment?
1) structural unemployment
2) frictional unemployment
3) cyclical unemployment
What is structural unemployment?
There is mismatch between the skills that workers in the economy can offer and the skills demanded of workers by employers (also known as the skills gap).
What are two causes of structural unemployment?
Jobs no longer exists because of
1) innovations
2) changes in preferences for goods
How do innovations cause jobs to no longer exist? Name two ways.
1) Machines replace jobs
2) Changes in production
What type of employment is considered the most painful kind of employment?
Structural unemployment. Painfulness depends on ability of people to adjust and apply skills to new jobs
Which type of unemployment is referred to as “creative destruction”
Structural unemployment
Who is Schumpeter?
Joseph Schumpeter is well known for his theory explaining the activities that lead to economic growth in capitalist economies
What is frictional unemployment?
Transaction costs + info problems means it takes time to find the right job. Takes employers time to find right person.
Which type of unemployment is associated with the phrase “skills gap”?
Structural unemployment
Which type of unemployment is associated with the phrase “search time?”
Frictional unemployment
Is frictional unemployment always present in an economy? Why or why not? Explain.
Frictional unemployment is always present in a market economy. It is the price of freedom to use skills.
What is cyclical unemployment?
Unemployment due to changes in health of macroeconomy.